Some Mecklenburg County commissioners skeptical of transit sales tax increase

Plans for a one-cent sales tax increase for transit met some resistance on Tuesday night at the Mecklenburg County Commission meeting. Charlotte Moves Chair Harvey Gantt and Charlotte assistant city manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba presented Mecklenburg leaders the same findings they showed the Charlotte City Council on Monday night. Some commissioners were skeptical of the plan, which could cost between $2 billion and $8 billion.

“A lot of people are struggling financially, and it is going to get worse,” Commissioner Pat Cotham said. “You are talking about a substantial tax increase.”

The Charlotte Moves Taskforce is recommending a one-cent sales tax increase to fund a Transformational Mobility Network. The plan includes light rail expansion to Matthews, Belmont and Ballantyne. It also calls for greenway and bus service improvements. City leaders need to receive permission from the General Assembly for the sales tax increase. Mecklenburg County Commissioners need to approve a referendum. The plan calls for voters to have a say in 2021.

[Task force recommends funding options for multi-billion light rail expansion]

Vice Chair Elaine Powell had the most scathing comments, saying her district has no enthusiasm for the plan.

“There is zero enthusiasm for this plan in District 1,” Powell said. “It is worse than zero. It is offensive to so many people in my district who believed they would have a light rail more than 20 years ago.”

Commissioner Vilma Leake also expressed concern about raising the sales tax during the pandemic and worries about the effect this may have on seniors in her district.

“To talk about taxation again, again and again. I am thinking about my seniors,” Leake said.

Leake also said she is disappointed the Charlotte Moves Taskforce did not include any representatives from the county government.

Chair George Dunlap tried to mitigate skepticism by saying county residents deserve a say in the process.

“It is not about our opinions. It is about our community. It is about our region,” Dunlap said. “The best way to know what our people think is to let them have a say.”

Dunlap said that when the county is asked to put this on the ballot in 2021, commissioners should grant the request.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held by the Charlotte City Council in January.

Task force recommends funding options for multi-billion light rail expansion

Cox Media Group